{Paper Ornament}

Here is an easy DIY ornament that cost pennies and can be customized to any color scheme. Just grab your supplies and plop down in front of "A Christmas Story" to pump yourself up for the holidays and get crafting! The ornament pictured is from a tree my sister and I decorated and donated to the Festival of Trees that benefits Primary Children's Medical Center here in Salt Lake City. We made a scrapbooking-themed tree (I'll add pictures of it later...)

Supplies needed:
Styrofoam ball (3-4" for the circle sizes listed)
1/2" circle punch
1" circle punch
2-4 coordinating cardstock papers/patterns
Straight pins
Clear seed beads
3/4" ribbon

1) Punch out an equal number of 1/2" and 1" circles from your cardstock. You can choose how to coordinate the different colors and patterns, but it looks really cute if there is a good mix of all of the patterns/colors between the two sizes. If you only have two colors, make both sizes circles of both colors.
2) Take a straight pin, and layer as follows: clear bead, 1/2" circle, clear bead, 1" circle
3) Poke the pin into the styrofoam ball
4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 and until the entire ball is covered, leaving a space to attach a ribbon
5) For the ribbon hanger, make a long loop, and attach the ribbon to the ball with straight pins. You can make it as long as you would like.

These don't have to be Christmas ornaments, they can be used as decorative balls matched to any decor. You can also hang them from fishing line or twine as decoration.

{Must-Have Scrapbooking Tools}

Now, I would be lying if I said I didn't have piles and piles and piles of scrapbooking paper. Because I do. But the thing that REALLY gets me going is scrapbooking gadgets and tools. Part of the reason I love them so much and collect them is that they never run out. Ribbon and paper gets used up, but an awesome punch can be used again and again and again. So I put together a list of my favorite scrapbooking gadgets from the most-used to the most-unique.

Imaginisce Jewel Tray 

 

 This little tray is great for beads, glitter, or anything that is a PAIN to clean up. Just pour them back into their original container!

Fiskars Paper Trimmer

This is my most-used crafting tool of all time. I never use scissors to cut things anymore...

Martha Stewart Scoring Board

 

 Not only can you make cute accordion flower rosettes and such, but it makes scoring paper for cards a breeze. I know, it's not hard to just fold paper in half, but this gives it that crisp-perfectly-pressed look.

Stampin Up Stamp-a-ma-jig

 

This is a lifesaver for positioning stamps. Instead of just eyeballing it and ending up with a weirdly-placed stamp, it helps you place it exactly where you want it with precision.

Martha Stewart Crafts Heat Tool

It looks and acts like a mini blowdryer, but with more concentrated heat and narrower tunnel. It's perfect for embossing.

Cuttlebug Machine

 

 I don't normally use this for cutting, but I love it for dry embossing with embossing plates. I like to use the big patterns to use on cards.

Fiskars MicroTip Scissors

 

These little scissors are my go-to scissors for everything crafty. They have a tiny point and can do intricate cutting.

Imaginisce I-Top Tool

 

I bought this thinking I would make little paper brads and magnets, but I use it mainly to make fabric-covered brad earrings. 

We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy

 

 This tool is a fun way to do sewing and lacing on your cards by hand. There are several patterns you can use, and all you have to do is run it over your paper, and then lace!

Fiskars Paper crimper

 Favorite use: making Easter grass. But not just for Easter- you can use it in crafts and kid activities instead of shredded paper.